Carrying a firearm is constitutionally guaranteed by the 2nd Amendment, and in light of the recent shootings at the movie theater in Aurora, Colorado and the Sikh Temple in Wisconsin, people want to protect themselves. One way is to carry a weapon for protection. Gun sales have gone up all over the state since these recent shootings, including the Weld County cities of Greeley, Keenesburg, Erie, and Evans.
Weld County Colorado has a strong tradition when it comes to firearms, and many residents regularly use guns in sports like hunting and target practice, or to protect valuable property. Fireamrs are an invaluable asset when it comes to protection, but criminal records or other conditions could unknowingly exempt good people from owning a firearm and keep them from the protection guns offer.
When looking to purchase a firearm for protection, hunting, or sport, it is important to know who cannot possess one. It is important to know that federal law overrides local Weld County law when it comes to gun control. The national government has decided that if anyone is convicted of a crime that is punishable by prison time of more than a year (this includes all felony convictions and some misdemeanor convictions), they are not allowed to own a firearm. This also applies to someone convicted of a misdemeanor crime with the domestic violence sentence enhancer attached to it. Their list is comprehensive with only some of the restrictions listed here.
If someone is an illegal alien, has a nonimmigration visa, or has relinquished their US citizenship they are prohibited from owning a firearm as well. In addition, fugitives from the law do not have any gun possession rights. If anyone is dishonorably discharged from the military they lose their second amendment rights as well. Also, if someone obtains out a protection order against you, all gun ownership rights are suspended.
If you have questions about federal and state gun control provisions, carrying a firearm, or what previous convictions mean for your Weld County gun rights, contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the O’Malley law Office at 970-616-6009. Together, we can protect your future.